Thursday, 31 March 2011

Having made and listed a few new applique hoops, namely the new silhouette ones, I got inspired to also add some more that I hadn't got around to listing.

It's mad making art, making crafts, collecting vintage and designing a new table arrangement for every market. Not to mention all the photographing, blogging, networking and marketing, etc. I hope it will all stand me in good stead for that lovely shop I hope to have in the not too distant future!

Saturday, 26 March 2011

Just had a brilliant day at the Can't Buy Me Love market today. It was featured in Time Out and, for me, that proved to have a very positive effect. I sold 3 of my hoops, 2 of which were brand new! I've now listed my other 2 on etsy. The woman who bought my 3 hoops has a shop and if you read this, I didn't get your name, or the name of your shop, and sure wish I did! So, please let me know how my items went and how your shop is going! Seems like a few people are now doing what I started doing 2 years ago, which is selling crafts with vintage. My shop will too come, and soon! Here's some pics of my new Rock & Roll Boy and Girl hoops. Below are the ones bought today. I will be making more as I have a few fairs coming up.

Thursday, 10 March 2011

I made a series of embroidered hoops called Stitched Up a couple months ago, and was really pleased when this call out for art came along, and Louise Atkinson (curator on behalf of ABC) wanted to include it, as well as a new piece I proposed specially for the show.

Refreshments provided but feel free to BYOB too!
Exhibition continues Sat 12th - Fri 18th March (closed Sunday)
Opening hours 11am - 5pm
Also open 6 - 8pm for scheduled performances during the week.
With ideas ranging from the domestic to displacement, over 80 artists from 7 different countries have contributed to this years Artist Book Collective exhibition around the theme of Home. 153 Woodhouse Lane is the setting for Home from Home, to be shown alongside the 14th Leeds International Artist Book Fair. As a spacious Victorian terrace situated over three floors, it provides the perfect backdrop for this site-specific exhibition.

The image below is an arrangement of all the pieces in Stitched Up.

I wanted to depict how woman are (born) ‘stitched up’. The hoops depict: Marking lines for facial cosmetic surgery, Caesarean scar, Mastectomy scar, Aborted fetus, Surgical instruments, Corset, Chinese footbinding, Hospital bed, Female genital circumcision Type lll scar, Surgeon’s mask, Cervical cancer cells, and Gynaecology Chair. A normally private sphere of the tools and results of mutilation, operations, and surgical procedures imposed by society and culture, including women, on themselves, and on each other, are bared for all to see. The format, like a specimen container, puts these female issues under the microscope. Feminine pain, loss and sadness are counterweighted by insecurity, vanity, and obsessiveness. We are specimens under constant scrutiny, with skin stretched, tweeked and slashed, needles pulled, eternally viewed.

The Four Sufferings (birth, ageing, sickness and death) suited the theme of the exhibition with it's Victorian references. The series theatrically plays on our heritage where private suffering must live out on public display. In these pastiches of Victorian decor and motifs, enduring contradictions emerge: between dark and light; the bleak and the opulent, tragic and trivial. We must continually grapple with our mortality and our desires.

I selected 4 hoops for this piece and decided to use the largest for birth, when we have the most life left, and down to death. I worked the black yarn in sections to give a sense of form to what is only a silhouette. It was quite theraputic just working in one colour! The festooned pelmets where the most challenging aspect of the pieces. I also had to work out a hanging method before sending off. If you get to see the show, I'd love to get any comments you might have!

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

Whew! Just about recovered from doing 2 different markets at the weekend. Challenging, but fun. Had 2 great days and have some nice photos to share!

Find more photos like this on Creative Cafe
These are from the Saturday at Art Junky. This market is responsible for inspiring me to start collecting vintage and to sell it alongside my art and crafts. The original art, handmade and vintage market, and still the best (in my opinion).
Below are some shots of there ever funky original rock and roll jumble, going 6 years now. It offers a great range of stalls, from peeps clearing out their clutter, to serious trades of vintage collectibles. You'll find a smattering of original and handmade items, too. Hot comfort food, cakes table and a cosy oldie- worldie pub next door compliment this escape into a world of youthful nostalgia.

About Me

I started life as a mini artist to my artist parents. I have been immersed in creativity all my life. Creating life, creating art, making crafty things and collecting vintage fashion, collectibles and home wares are my passions. My other labour of love is The Dandy Lion Market, "a monthly fixture showcasing independent vintage items and affordable arts and crafts from the comfort of a friendly boozer", as said by Time Out.